Lately, we have been hearing a lot of phrases like, "the new normal" and "these unprecedented times" to describe the recent coronavirus pandemic and its impact on Americans. Since the first U.S. cases were reported earlier this year, COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has wreaked havoc on the health of millions of individuals. Not only that, but businesses across the country continue to struggle with the ramifications of social distancing. This includes government agencies, like the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, which remains closed to help prevent the spread of infection. What does that mean for veterans who need a copy of their military service records to obtain important benefits?

While delays are expected, urgent requests are still being expedited.

If you need to order a copy of your DD214 or a similar document, the NPRC is still servicing what they consider "urgent" requests. These include requests related to veteran funerals, medical emergencies, and current or impending homelessness. If this applies to you, the team at DD214Direct can help. Our office remains open and we are still the fastest way to get your DD214, OMPF, and other military service records. For urgent requests, please let our team know when you call us at 800.891.9285 or when you request your DD214 online.

For non-urgent situations, we still recommend submitting your request now.

Despite guidance from the National Archives website asking veterans to delay their request if it is not urgent, we strongly recommend submitting your request to our team as soon as possible. The government processes military records requests on a first-come, first-served basis, and the queue is getting longer by the day. In other words, the longer you wait, the longer it will take to receive your DD214 (by weeks or months), so we encourage you to secure your place in the queue by ordering your DD214 today. Rest assured, your order is very important to us and our expeditors will continue to advocate on your behalf so that we can deliver your DD214 to you as quickly as possible. DD214Direct has even lowered our standard pricing for a limited time to help with expenses during COVID-19.

Veteran-owned DD214Direct helps you get the documents you need, when you need them.

Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than you could get them on your own. First, we digitize both your request and the returned documents, using electronic signatures to avoid extra time with the postal service. We also integrate email and fax throughout our entire process, while many agencies do not. To further expedite the process, our team ensures your initial request is filled out properly the first time and includes the necessary supporting documentation so that it doesn't bounce back. In addition, we break up multiple requests (DD214, OMPF, etc.) so that each piece is handled separately and one does not delay the other. Once your request is processed, DD214Direct becomes your personal advocate, working directly with the agency that holds your records (currently there are about 75 independent agencies) and immediately responding to any agency issues on your behalf. In many cases, DD214Direct is able to advance your request to a higher-priority workflow. Finally, we have team members at many locations to drop off and pick up documents. Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Once we locate your DD214, we can email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers. Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.